REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Data Innovation Lab: Data Innovation Lab will create an ecosystem for experimentation, offering of new ideas and their Proof-of-Concept through wider participation of amongst others, entrepreneurs, start- ups, individual researchers and academic-research organisations. It will promote innovation, adoption of Information Technology in the field of official statistics, including official statistics related methodology and address the challenges of the National Statistical System (NSS) of MoSPI. Technologically Innovative solution through this scheme component will strengthen National Statistical System (NSS) which envisages strategic partnerships with institutes/organizations of repute for their participation in the ecosystem. Participation is called for submission of solutions to problem statements attached at Annexure-IA & IB.

Expected Outcome:

Selected entity will execute the project to offer a methodological cum technological solution to the problem statements as a prototype proven by a pilot. The details are provided in Annexure-IIA & IIB (Terms of Reference)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Start-up companies: Start-up qualification will be decided according to the latest notification by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
• Autonomous Bodies: Autonomous bodies, including public sector organizations, non-profit organizations, research institutions / universities and other academic institutions, are eligible to participate.
• Others: Indian Faculty members/student from institutes/ universities of repute established in India under appropriate legal provisions, individually or collaboratively can participate. Other organizations and institutes from the relevant field/Individuals with proven credence in the field of Data science/technology working with Indian start up/ Companies can also participate individually or as team.

Note:

1. Only Indian Citizens/Companies/Startups/ other entities as indicated above are eligible to participate.

2. To encourage participation from across academia and industry, participating teams are not mandatorily required to be registered Indian Companies/startups to apply for the challenge. However, teams shortlisted at the Ideation Stage will be required to register themselves as Indian Startup/Company and submit relevant proof at the stage of submission of the Prototype to facilitate contract signing.

3. If individual innovators are associated with any company, they should provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer, stating that the company will have no rights to the financial assistance and/or intellectual property rights (IPR). Additionally, individuals should inform their employer of their participation in this RFP.

4. There is no bar on collaboration amongst institutions, they will identify a project lead amongst them and contract will be signed with the organization of the Team Lead. It may be noted that an individual researcher from an institution (e.g., a university) will be treated as institution for the purpose of this activity as s/he will be representing the University and shall sign the contract after taking NOC /approval from the University.

Implementation Stages:

• Idea Stage: An idea for building a product/service, that addresses the problem areas listed under Annexure 1 will be submitted as per the submission form. Submissions will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary Selection Committee.
• Solution development and testing Stage: In this stage, shortlisted teams will develop prototypes from ideas, focusing on optimizing algorithms, improving interfaces, and adding features. This phase includes a mid-phase evaluation to assess progress and provide feedback on development and integration capabilities, leading to the submission of refined solutions as proof of concept. This phase will conclude with submission of Beta version as explained in annexure-IIA & IIB.
• Finalization of Solution & Deployment(Optional): On the request of MoSPI and based on mutually agreed terms and conditions, the selected entity who has developed the solution as PoC will prepare the detailed mainstreaming plan for the solution and Governing Committee will decide on continuity of the proposal and financial support, if any, required for the same. However, MoSPI, may also decide on continuity of the proposed solution at its own without having any formal engagement with the proposer of the solution

Payment Term:

• 10 percent or Rs. 50000/- whichever is less on submission of an inception report detailing outlining the Proof of Concept of the solution including methodology and implementation mechanism
• 20 percent on submission and approval of alpha release along with documentation. At this stage total 20 percent of the financial assistance is proposed to be released. However, if only Rs. 50000 has been released initially instead of 10 percent then accordingly adjustments will be made in the released amount so that a total of 20 percent released once alpha version is approved.
• 70 percent on approval of Beta release along with code base and documentation
• 10 percent on successful completion of post development support stage as per proposal submitted by the solution provider or decided by the Selection Committee.

Note:

MoSPI will issue a Letter of Approval (LoA) with detailed terms and conditions and also sanction order for release of financial assistance. The authorized signatory should then issue a Bond (Annexure-VI) to MoSPI on Rs 100 Stamp paper within 15 days of the dispatch of the LoA.

No utilization certificate would be required for releasing the installments. Only the Utilization of Funds & statement of expenditure (Annexure-V) would be submitted along with the project completion report at the end for releasing the final installment. If there are any unutilized funds, then it shall be refunded to MoSPI by bank drafts payable to Pay and Accounts Office, MoSPI. The details of the same would be communicated to the participating entity in the Notice Demand letter if issued. The quantum of funding is the sole discretion of the MoSPI. The approval criteria are indicated in ToR of the respective problem statements. Minimum cutoff for acceptance would be 80 percent for beta version and 60 percent for alpha version.

Parameters for Technical Evaluation:

The proposed solution from eligible participating entities will be evaluated on the following parameters:

Note:

A minimum score of 50 will make the organization eligible for financial assistance. In case the entity does not achieve the cutoff criteria, the Committee may suggest changes to the original proposal and then reconsider the revised proposal subsequent to changes without having to apply again through the CPP portal. All the claims made regarding technical parameter needs to be supported with adequate documents duly signed.

Participation Process

The problem statements along with Terms of Reference shall be advertised online including on the Central Public Procurement Portal [https://eprocure.gov.in/cppp/] and website of MoSPI(www.mospi.gov.in) as part of Request for Proposals [RFP] and solutions/ proposals shall also be received online through the same portal in the prescribed format. In such cases a two stage bidding process shall be followed where the weightages of Technical and Financial Bid would be 70:30 and procedure of QCBS as per Manual of procurement of Services for Consultancy Services will be adopted. In case of only one participating entity who achieve more than 50 points then the financial support would be decided by the Governing Council on recommendation of Selection Committee. The eligible would submit the proposal within specified time (Three weeks from date of publications of RFO on CPP portal) with documents as per the format given in Annexure-III. The eligible entities can apply for more than one problem statements. Detail terms of Reference is at Annexure-IIA & IIB. The proposal will be governed by the guidelines of DI Lab issued vide notification no. 1-11011/1/2019-CC-MoSPI dated 23rd July, 2024. (https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/announcements/DI_lab_guidelines.pdf). Unless specifically mentioned/clarified in this document, the guidelines of DI Lab shall prevail in case of any doubt or contradiction regarding any of the clauses in this document with guidelines. The Technical and Financial submission forms may be filled separately and provided at Annexure-III & IV. All documents should be duly signed by the Team leader. The Team leader should be duly nominated through a letter issued under the signature of Authorized signatory of the entity. In case team of individual are participating a MoU for collaboration indicating the name of the team leader may be submitted.

Other Conditions:

a. The outcome of this initiative can only be used by the participating team for the purpose of AI solution development.

b. Selected entity will retain the rights to the solution/product developed. However, they should adhere to the terms and conditions defined in DI Lab guidelines related to AI solutions.

c. The solution should not violate/breach/copy any copyrighted or patented concepts

d. The solutions should not violate any data protection and governance regulations and policies.

e. The solution should be in adherence to related cybersecurity standards and guidelines of the government of India.

f. Solutions must adhere to ethical principles and guidelines for the development, deployment and use of AI technologies, including fairness, transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination

Termination:

This contract may be terminated by both parties upon 30 days’ notice period. If the participating entity terminates the contract, then it shall refund the credited amount/fee with penal interest as applicable as per GFR. However, MoSPI may permit the Organisation/individual expert to retain part of the fee paid depending upon the services already rendered. MoSPI may also terminate this contract in whole or in part, in writing to the assigned selected entity. The initiation of arbitration proceedings in accordance with "settlement of disputes" stated below shall not be deemed a termination of this contract. In the event of any termination by the MoSPI, no payment shall be paid to the selected entity except for work and services satisfactorily performed in conformity with the terms and conditions of the contract. The selected entity shall take immediate steps to terminate the work and services in a prompt and orderly manner and to minimize losses and further expenditures. Should selected entity expert be adjudged bankrupt, or be liquidated or become insolvent, or should the selected entity make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or should a receiver be appointed on account of the insolvency of the agency, the MoSPI may, without prejudice to any other right or remedy it may have, terminate this contract forthwith. Selected entity expert shall immediately inform the MoSPI of the occurrence of any of the above events.

Settlement of Disputes

(i) Amicable settlement: The parties shall use their best efforts to settle amicably any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this contract or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof.

(ii) Arbitration:

a. In the event of any dispute or difference between the parties hereto, such disputes or differences shall be resolved amicably by mutual consultation. If such resolution is not possible, then the unresolved dispute or difference shall be referred to arbitration of the sole arbitrator to be appointed in mutual consultation. In case it is felt necessary to do so, the Department of Legal Affairs would be consulted in an appropriate manner. The provisions of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (No. 26 of 1996) shall be applicable to the arbitration.

b. All litigations will be subject to Delhi Jurisdiction. The venue of such arbitration shall be New Delhi only. The language of arbitration proceedings shall be English. The arbitrator shall make a reasoned award (the “Award”), which shall be final and binding on the parties.

c. The cost of the arbitration shall be shared equally by the parties to the agreement. However, expenses incurred by each party in connection with the preparation, presentation shall be borne by the party itself.

d. Pending the submission of and/or decision on a dispute, difference or claim or until the arbitral award is published; the Parties shall continue to perform all of their obligations under this scheme without prejudice to a final adjustment in accordance with such award.

Force Majeure

“Force Majeure” refers to any event or occurrence which results in either or both Parties are unable to perform their obligations under this MoU, without the fault, delay or negligence in performance of the Parties. Events that may be termed as force majeure events are including but not limited to fire, flood, strike, Act of God, acts of the public enemy or governmental authority in its sovereign or contractual capacity (including but not limited to declaration of lockdown), war, terrorism, epidemics, pandemics, civil unrest or riots, and/or power outage or grid failure or other similar causes beyond its control and without the fault or negligence of the delayed or non performing party.

Notification procedure for Force Majeure

a) The affected Party shall notify the other Party of a Force Majeure event within seven (7) days of occurrence of such event. If the other Party disputes the claim for relief under Force Majeure, it shall give the claiming Party written notice of such dispute within thirty (30) days of such notice. Such dispute shall be dealt with in accordance with the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in accordance to Clause 9.

b) Upon cessation of the situation which led the Party claiming Force Majeure, the claiming Party shall, within seven (7) days, hereof notify the other Party in writing of the cessation and the Parties shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, continue performance of all obligations under this Agreement.

Contact Information:

The Forwarding letter with proposal may be addressed to Ms. Madhura Roy

Director, MoSPI

Email: madhura.roy@gov.in

Clarification in respect of central public procurement portal tender id: 2024_MOSPI_831889_1

In RFP, under Heading “Eligibility Criteria”, subsection “Note”, the following two points may be read in addition to the existing points: - One agency can apply for more than one problem statement. Separate proposal (both Technical and Financial) needs to be submitted for each problem statement. Some more queries have been received through email, which are provided below: